Wealdstone manager Gordon Bartlett felt his side’s performance in a 1-1 draw at Basingstoke Town was completely unacceptable and that his players let themselves down in Hampshire.

This was an early six pointer for both sides in the National League South, yet neither manager could declare themselves entirely happy at full time following a stalemate which does neither team much good at all.

After the game Bartlett said: “I want to express publically how bitterly disappointed I am at what we saw this afternoon.

“The players have let themselves down and let our supporters down. That performance was completely unacceptable and I have left the players in no doubt about how I feel.

“We have to improve - and fast, they are capable of so much more than this.”

Stones, as usual, were forced into changes with Ryan Watts (foot) replaced by Dale Binns.

Matt Lowe, signed on a month’s loan from Cambridge United on Friday, was handed a debut from the bench after being held up in traffic.

Wealdstone started brightly but lacked control in the final third, typified by a couple of excellent chances that were spurned by an out of sorts Jefferson Louis.

Scott Davies’ spectacular 30 yard strike clipped the cross bar – sadly only one of two pieces of significant play from the former Reading man throughout the match.

But on 13 minutes Stones had a stroke of luck. Josh Hutchinson made a hash of a volley but the Dragons couldn’t clear their lines, enabling Matt Ball to shoot past Aaron Howe courtesy of a wicked deflection off David Ray.

But Stones failed to capitalise on their lead which began to look increasingly precarious.

Town equalised on the half hour mark. Stones didn’t clear and Harrison Gilkes stole in to poke the ball past an exposed Jonathan North.

Stones fell back into their shells somewhat and experienced striker Manny Williams shot just wide a couple of minutes later.

Sadly the second period produced little to provide encouragement to both camps and real goalscoring opportunities were at a premium.

Stones’ best chance to take the lead came when Josh Urquhart had two bites at the cherry when in front of goal but Howe saved his initial header and the full-back’s weak follow-up.

The visitors enjoyed a greater share of possession in spells but not the spark needed to find the net.

Despite an unbeaten run of four matches, things need to improve for Stones who find themselves in the relegation zone by two points at this early stage.

Wealdstone: North; Urquhart, Parker, Hamblin, Binns (Corcoran 79); Davies, Ball, Godfrey, Hudson-Odoi (Lowe HT); Hutchinson (Calcutt 55), Louis.

Subs: Lucien, Wright